Russia has incredible issues to deal with today. It was rated the country with politicians most likely to be bribed, and among the top 3 in the world for corruption in the world - next to Mozambique!
Italy responded to their mafia issues with a similar approach as the one Putin is considering - and for a power-mad leader, Putin has not even put together the proposal yet. He is supposed to be submitting it to the Duma by the end of this year.
As someone else pointed out, Reagan said presidential term limits should be extended.
Russia has always functioned well under strong central government, and a little over 1/2 of her people support Putin in this idea.
Sharon seems to love Putin, and if Putin were so dangerous and pro-islamic I doubt that Sharon would be inviting them to come and sharing technology and anti-terrorist secrets with them.
Beginning almost ten years ago, the regions of southern Russia took in huge numbers of chechens who left the country in droves over Sharia law and the rampant warlord gangster "democracy" they put in place, after Russia granted them freedom.
Then, the leaders of chechnya began to invade local small Caucasian countries and ran a place of horror, kidnapping and mutilating young children, making snuff films, and terrorizing everyone who did not support them.
What is left in chechnya today is not like in Iraq. There is a difference. I hope Israel is helpful and I thank God for Sharon, who apparently cares about children being brutalized and killed by these monsters. But a lot of us here would support very strong military action against chechnya.
When you look at the facts, there is no reason to believe the USSR has gone underground and is re-emerging in the islamic radicals we face today. Being linked to the Russian people by our common churches, I would be the last to support a return to the USSR, who killed some 300,000 clergy. Under the USSR the chechens faired quite well, being non-Christians and mostly secular at the time. Yes, Stalin disliked them and deported them enmasse, but Stalin was a Georgian and disliked them for historical reasons. That was in what, 1930 or so?
Your hatred blinds you.
I see Putin as a man who is facing mafia and oligarchs in many official positions around him, at least one of whom actually took money to look the other way as explosives were planted in a school. Like all of us when we are in deep pain and see chaos that has led to terrible cruel things happening, Putin is responding with efforts to control the madness he sees.
Most recently Putin is admitting he was wrong about being friends with and trusting Iran. Bush likes him and I do too. Putin is naive and perhaps makes mistakes, but he is, so far, the best thing Russia has had. An economic conservative, he has done a terrific job getting Russia back on her feet in many ways. Now he needs to clean up a huge mess and get control over terrorism.
Putin was the first leader in the world to send us condolences after 9-11. We need to give him time to really understand the world, and let Bush and Sharon continue to help him see the realities of global islamic radicals.
Diversionary stuff to an enemy that does not exist is not supporting Bush and our country, imo. In fact I think your postings are anti-American and are like a slap in the face to Bush.
Together we can overcome this terror and cult of radical islam. Some leaders may need to be coached and gently brought aboard. Bush is up for it, and apparently so is Sharon. We need to stay the course and continue to trust Bush. Have hope, not hate.
Are you denying here and now that you've spoken about the attractiveness of the mannish Russian men?
Say yes or no, but remember that I can provide links to your posts on the subject.
Are you also denying that you advocate the destruction of Chechnya the nation, and the Chechen people?
Remember, I still have the links to both your "gates of Hades" post, and your "I'll bring the popcorn" post.
If anyone's hatred is fully exposed here is yours...where was Christ in your post about bringing popcorn to witness the razing of Chechnya and her people from the face of this Earth?
When have you even acknowledged the presence of Chrsitians in Chechnya?
They will die as well while you eat popcorn and cheer Russia's bombs on.
Everything I said is true, and you can either admit to it, or I will provide links supporting each and every point in my post when I return.
"...and I do too."
I thought you said I was wrong in my post?
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has come in for criticism from George W. Bush, the US president, and Chris Patten, the European Union commissioner for external affairs, over the political plans he set out in response to the Beslan siege. Mr Bush expressed concern that Moscow's centralising of power and tightening grip on parliament and the regions threatened democracy.
In the latest cold war-style exchange at the end of last week, Mr Putin warned about "double standards" in the fight against terrorism, and a top British diplomat in Moscow was summoned by the Russian foreign ministry and criticised for the failure to extradite Akhmed Zakaev, the Chechen rebel leader living in London.
Some observers believe that whatever motives lie behind the chilly rhetoric between Russia and its partners, the result could be a shift away from the more open and western-oriented policy established by the country's previous two leaders and pursued until recently by Mr Putin.
As usual, you're misinformed.